(June 16th 2001)
Submarine Rescue Exercise
Earlier this week units from the navies of Britain, Sweden and the United States participated in a submarine rescue exercise, codenamed "Sedgemoor", in the Sound of Raasay, Scotland.
Participating vessels included the Swedish submarine HMSwS Gotland and the Diving and Submarine Rescue ship HMSwS Belos (A214), the US Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) "Mystic", the Royal Navy submergence rescue vessel LR5, the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard (S28), and the Type 23 Frigate HMS Monmouth (F235). The exercise was directed by the British Underwater Training and Evaluation Centre.
The Swedish submarine Gotland played the role of the "distressed" submarine, while the British nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard (S28) was the rescuer. The US Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) "Mystic" was used to transfer personnel between the two submarines.
A number of other submarine rescue exercises were also undertaken, one of which involved the recovery of submariners who had abandoned a disabled submarine and were stranded in the water. Six members of the British Submarine Parachute Assistance Group (SPAG), and two 25-person life rafts, were parachuted from a Hercules aircraft into the water. The SPAG team then recovered the submariners from the water and placed them in the lifeboats. One submariner (really a dummy) was then airlifted directly by helicopter to HMS Monmouth, in order to receive emergency medical attention..
The exercise finished on June 13th.
Above: HMS Vanguard (S28) returned from the submarine rescue exercise on Tuesday 12th June, carrying a DSRV (Deep Sea Rescue Vehicle) on her hull. Notice Vanguard's tailfin is painted white- this is done so the DSRV can find mother ship and securely lock on to the hatch. Photograph kindly provided by John Newth.
Above: Following shortly after Vanguard, the Swedish submarine HMSwS Gotland returned to the Gareloch. Photograph kindly provided by John Newth.
Above: The Swedish salvage ship HMSwS Belos (A214) entering the Gareloch on Tuesday 12th June. Photograph kindly provided by John Newth.